Jodi Magness is the Kenan Distinguished Professor for Teaching Excellence in Early Judaism in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She is the author and editor of several books, including Stone and Dung, Oil and Spit: Jewish Daily Life in the Time of Jesus (2011), The Archaeology of the Early Islamic Settlement in Palestine (2003) and The Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls (2002).
'The strength of Magness' volume are fourfold: first, it is well illustrated with maps and photographs; second, descriptions of archaeological periods are concise and salient; third, the information in the sidebars is used to debunk some of the pseudo-science that is prevalent in the media and in popular culture; fourth, this textbook is written in a manner that makes the subject matter accessible to undergraduate students. For instance, her chapter summarising archaeological methods is perhaps one of the best that I have read for an introductory textbook. It is readable and her use of contemporary analogies in order to illustrate archaeological methods is excellent.' Benjamin A. Saidel, East Carolina University 'In this beautifully-produced volume, Jodi Magness provides a superb introduction to the archaeology of the region of ancient Palestine, and creates a focus that is somewhat different from the usual presentations of 'biblical archaeology' ... This book is an invaluable overview and full of Magness's characteristically sound and insightful judgements. It will be much used by students and scholars.' Joan Taylor, Strata: Bulletin of the Anglo-Israel Archaeological Society 'The book is written by an expert on the topic who has participated in major excavations herself. It is well written and contains a wealth of images. It is a valuable aid for scholars, students and all interested non-specialists alike.' Journal for the Study of the New Testament